1495: The Loopdy-Doos

[DWarrior]

Like that Chappelle sketch: "The government is fucking up!" /twothousandsixcalled

[Kultcher]

The problem with setting specific goals is that the issue as a whole is very complex. It's not like the civil rights movement where we could say, "We want equal rights for all races" and most anyone could figure out what that entailed - Group A has certain rights, Group B wants those rights too.

With OWS, most people don't have a thorough understanding of exactly what caused the housing market collapse, or what derivatives are. They may understand that we have a wealth gap, but they don't understand why. They may understand that lobbying is a bad thing, but they don't exactly know why.

So the problem becomes if you start rallying behind very specific and technical demands, you lose the common man who doesn't really understand what those things are.

For instance, a common call from OWS protesters is to Reinstate Glass-Steagall. How many people know what that is? Other say "End the Fed." How many people know what the Fed does, or how it works? Some say, "Stop derivitives trading," but how many people actually know what that means? "End Corporate Personhood!" Huh?

Thus, at least in the nascent stages of the movement (which it very much is still in), the rallying cry is broad. It's getting the issues out there so that everyone can see them.

As I understand it, the working groups in NY are putting together some more concrete ideas, but these things will take time. Similarly, I'm willing to bet that down the line, certain people will become leaders of the movement, even if unofficially.

These things take time. I urge those of you who sympathize with OWS but don't agree with their methods or are on the fence to give them a chance to grow. The movement is still so young, but it has potential to do powerful things that will make things better for the vast majority of us.

[rodimusprime]

Originally Posted by Kultcher

It's not like the civil rights movement where we could say, "We want equal rights for all races" and most anyone could figure out what that entailed - Group A has certain rights, Group B wants those rights too.

Even the Civil Rights struggle in America was a series of much smaller nuanced specific protest that added up to a bigger movement. It didn't just start with MLK and a march on Washington. Things like the boycotting of buses in order to get equal seating. Or sit-ins at dinners to do away with segregation in that specific city / establishment. Or even boycotts where blacks stayed home instead of going to work in order to demand equal treatment and wages at their jobs.

Those things are very specific in nature. It would seem like OWS would be better served it they could get enough people to agree on some smaller specific goals and lay a frame work that actually empowered these protesters. At this point they seem to be more of an angry nuisance than a real organized power. While we can all empathize with their frustration and need to feel togetherness it seems like there is no real substantive change that can be brought about from this.

[fluxquanta]

Originally Posted by invader

The Knefels did the best job so far at explaining the occupy Wall Street and why they are down there. Excellent show.

I don't mean to start anything with anyone, but I completely disagree.

[Kultcher]

Originally Posted by fluxquanta

I don't mean to start anything with anyone, but I completely disagree.

Are you saying they did a bad job in general, or that someone else did it better? Or that you just don't like OWS?

[Abby]

Really! I thought they did a really good job! What did they get wrong/ not explain well?!

[fluxquanta]

Originally Posted by Kultcher

Are you saying they did a bad job in general, or that someone else did it better? Or that you just don't like OWS?

It just sounded like rambling to me. Like a kid in school who has to do a presentation in class and didn't prepare well enough, but knows to throw enough buzz words and phrases into his or her talk to get a passing grade. Maybe that is the point of the movement, but it doesn't really help me understand what the end game is.

Edit: I want to note that I made this post before I got to the part of the episode where Keith talks about oral quizzes in school...we're just on the same level.

[MalcolmSmith]

Originally Posted by Keith

I have no holes. I said I don't understand what it is.

But you won't explain it. You'll just talk condescendingly like you get so much more than I do.

You're actually the kind of person we were talking about that pretends they know things.

They can question everything, but I can't question what's going on?

You're not a nice person. You're a bully.

Rise above.

There's a real similarity between Herman Cain fumbling and bumbling on the Libya question and OWS not being able to articulate what the $#!! they want. Cain should be president. We are a nation of Herman Cains. The reason OWS can't define themselves is because they're stupid. I doubt Herman Cain could identify Libya on a map of Libya. I doubt most Americans could either. He makes bad pizza. We love to eat bad pizza. He's dumb. We're dumb. It's a match made in heaven. Uh, but maybe I'm thinking of another one?

[Abby]

Who do you think explained it better? No one else on the show has explained it in any way I could understand.

[fluxquanta]

Originally Posted by Abby

Who do you think explained it better?

I don't think it can be explained to me.